Multiple switch



A. J. EAVES. MULTIPLE SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED AUG-14. 1918.

. Patented July 11, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

A. J. EAV'ES.

MULTIPLE SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-14,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

v Patnted Jul 11, 1922.

y Affy value.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

...AUGUSTUS J. EAVES, OF YORK, N. .Y.,. ASSIGNORTO WESTERN.ELECTRIC COIVIPANY INCORPORATED, F NEYMYORK, .N. Y.,...A, CGI-IPORATION .OF. NEW

YORK.

' MULTIPLE SWITCH.

{specification ofLetters Patent. Patented J-ulyjl 1,; 1922,

Application filed" August 14:, 1918. 'Serial Nor 249,820.

To all whom it may concern:

LE6 it known thatl, Aneiis'rns a citizen of thellnited States, residing; at New York, in the county o't'New York, State or. New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in lllultiple' Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, con cise, and eXact description.

This invention relates in general to mul tiple switches andmore particularly to a,

multiple switch especially suitable Eoruse in connection with adjustable condensers and rlieostats. I

In connection with various communicatingsystems there exists a considerable dc mand for a variablecondenser having a relatively large capacity but ad ustable within small steps and to meet this'demand it has been the customary practice to supply a a switching arrangement equipped with alaige number of small condenser units which can be successively connected in parallel across a pair oi? line terminals. Such an arrangement, however, is not only needlessly expensive because ofthe large number of con denser units required, but in many cases it is too bulky to satisfactorily meet other requirements of the service.

a wide range but, variable in steps of small To attain llllGClGSlI'QCl range byemploying the units of small value would result in a piece of apparatus which is both exaeusive and QXCBSSlVGl 1 lar e. To overcome these objections it is an object of the present invention to provide a multiple switch whereby only a small number of units oi the minimum valuewill be required, these unitsbeiug automatically grouped with units of large value in such a manner as to permit an adjustment over the entire range of the apparatus insteps always of the minimum value. Another object or the invention is to providela switching arrangement iQr-a variable condenser or rheostat which is small in size, cheap tomanuiacture, and

suitably arrangedtor installing in such a manner that it may easily be manipulated to vary and indicate the capacity or resistance between line terminals.

To accomplish these ob ects.a

Again in con: nect1cn withv'ar able resistances or rheostats, there is a demand for device having feature of the invention resides in employing a multiple switch so arranged as to successively connect in circuit,the units-oii=minimum nected from. circuitwhen aunitof larger value ispicked up. 'Another'zt'eature con i sists in providing-a multiple switclrequipped with contact plates at tWOtllfilQlGllt decks or levels; These and other features will be described in the specification and more particularly pointedout in theappended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, 1 is atop view of the switching arrangement embodied in this invention andprovidedwith a suitable .casing;-l ig. E2 is a top view of the sw tch of Fig. 1 with the casing removed;

Figlfl is a side view oi": the switch shown-in Fig. 2; Fig. 11s a diagrammatic view showing; the switch'of Fig. 2 connected with the necessary condenser units; Fig. is a diagrammatic view of a niodifiedforin of switch provided with suitable condenser units and equipped with an arrangement permitting a larger range; ailCl 'Flg'. 6 is a top view-oi; the

switch of Fig. equipped with suitable casing.

1 Referring now more particularly to 1 to *1, there is providedan annular member 10 of suitableinsulating material and having a portion cutaway, asshown at'11--11.

Mounted within the annular member 10 is a rotatable disc-shaped member 12, also or". insulating material and having a portion of its periphery cutaway to provide a lower level or deckextendiiig entirely around the disc and in a plane with the recessed portions 11---11 while the upper surface or'declr is in the planeof the upper surface of mem ber 10. A- commutator segment 13 o'tbrass or other suitable conducting material is socurely positioned in the edge oi the upper deck or-incinber 12, its upper surlace' being flush therewith. Similarlypositioned in the lower level are thesegments 14:, 15' and 16 which are-also of conducting material, and .are insulated ItI'OlIl GELCll other. A handle 17 suitable for rotating the member 12 is secured thereto by the bolt 18 and nut 19, the bolt extending through member 12- and the metal plate 20 in which'it is journaled and fastened by means of nuts 9, 9. Radially mounted on the rece'ssedpOTtlOll 11- of the annular -niemberare the brushes or contact springs 21 to" 31, inclusive. These springs which {LIedI-lSUltttBCl from'eachotherare secured to the annular member 10 by means of the screws and nuts 55, being also pinned to prevent them from turning. 'Tlie free ends of these springs are adapted to bear against the segments 14:, 15 and 16 located on the outer and lower edge of member 12 and perform the various switching arrangements in the manner to be described hereinafter. Also radially mounted on the upper surface of member 10 are the brushes or springs Nos. 32, 83 and 34, the free ends or which are adapted to bear against the upper surface of disc 12 and the segment 13 mounted flush therewith. A casing 56 is provided to protect the apparatus from dust and moisture or mechanical injury. This casing it rich is arranged to be mounted by screws passing through the mounting brackets o7--57 is provided on its inner periphery with a graduated scale over which sweeps a pointer 36 secured to the handc, when the latter is turned. Three standards or spacing members 52, 52 are provided to insure the proper separation when the apparatus is mounted.

As shown in Fig. 4:, the springs 22 to 31, inclusive, which bear on electrically connected to condenser units 38 to 1-7, respectively. These units are of small capacity, m. t. being chosen in the present case. The springs 32 and 34: which bear upon the upper level are connected respectively to condenser units 4-8 and 49, each 01 1 m. f. capacity. and springs 21 and are connected. to a line terminal 50. The other line terminal 51 is connected in common to one terminal of each. condenser unit. In the position shown, the connections from terminal 50 would be open at springs 21 and 33 and the pointer 36 would thereiore be opposite the zero mark on the scale, indicating zero capacity. Rotating the handle 17 in a clockwise direction from this position causes segment 14: to engage springs 21 and 22, thereby connecting condenser 38 which is of 111. f. capacity between terminals 50 and 51. Additional movement of handle 17 in the same direction increases the capacity between the line terminals in, t, m. t. steps up to the pointwhere sinings 21 to are all in engagement with si-igmcnt 14., thereby ccmnecting condensers it? to h") in parallel across the line terminals and giving a total capacity 0t {1; In. i. Upon the next step. however, segment 14lleaves spring 21, thereby disconnecting condensers 38 to 46, but at the same time segment 13 has progressed far enough to bridge springs 32 and 33 and in so doing connects condenser 48, which is of 1 m. f. capacity, between the line ter minals. Upon further rotation the condensers 38 to 46 are again successively connc :ted across the terminals by the springs 21 to 30, being engaged by the segment 1:). During this period, however, the springs 32 and remain in contact with segment. 13, hence the capacity between terminals 50 and 51 is increased in m. '1. steps until spring 30 is engaged by se -merit 15, at which time the the lower level, are

total capacity between terminals will be 1ft, m. :l. At the next step segment l i leaves spring 21, thereby again. disconnecting the ,1, in. 1. condensers, but at the same time the segment 13 has advanced to the point where it engages spring 3sas well as springs 32 and 33, thereby connecting condenser 4-9 which is of 1 m. i. capacity in parallel with condenser 48, also of 1 m. 1. capacity, between the terminals. AS the handle rotated further, segment 16 engages springs 2l 3fl, thereby connecting the in. 1 units between the terminals in the same manner as already described, and in parallel with the two 1. m. it. condensers. it will he noted that the length of segment 16 is sullicicnt to engage spring Ill as well as s jirings fil -I10. thereby connecting condensers fltl--l-7 and. giving a total capacity of 3 o. t. between line terminals, this capacity having beenv reached in steps of m. f.

In Fig. there is shown a modified type of switch suitable 'l'or obtaining a total capacity of 11.9 in. :l. in steps of m. t. each. This switch is prcwidcd with an annular member having a recessed portion in which are mounted the radial contact spri llflS 61 to 70, inclusive, the free ems of these springs being adapted. to bear against the segments 71, T2, 73 and H located i a the lower and outer edge oi the rotating mcn1- her 75. Located upon the upper surface of the annular member 60 are the springs 76, 77, 78, 79, SO. 81, and 83., the free ends of which are adapted to bear upon the upper level of the rotatable member 75 and cn gage the segment mounted therein. The s n'ings 62 to 70. inclusive, are connected to condenser units to 93, respecth ly, each being of 3 m. i. capacity. The springs '76 and 79 are joined together and connected to the condenser 94.- which is of 1 m. 1 capacity. The springs 80 and are likewise joined together and'connected to a condensm- 05 or" 1. m. t. capacity. Spring is connccl'cd to condenser 96 oi 2 m. t. capacity. t pringrs ($1. Fl]. 78 and 77 are conuccled to one of the line terminals 97, while the other line lcrminal 98 is (.(lllllttittil in common to our lcrminal of each oi" the condensers.

Secured in the under side of rotatable member 75 is a pin 100 which is adapted once in each revolution to engage a switch ing device 101., this device being made rotatable by journaling the shaft 10:? in the under side of the annular member 60. Upon the rotation of the switching device lill its projecting arm 109 is adapted to sweep over contacts 108 and 10 17 to each of which is connected a condenser unit oi t in. t. capacity.

The other terminals of these condensers are connected in common to line terminal. 93 and the s itching device is electrically connected. to line terminal 97. I

The apparatus is shown in a position For units to 93 between the line terminals 97 and 98 in the' same manner. as described in,

connection with the arrangement shown in Figmi, and thus. giving a total capacity of .9 m. f. in steps of t m.- f. each. .At the next; step segment 71 leaves springtil, thereinovable vmember has advanced .toa point where: it bridges the springs 7 6 and 77, thus connecting the condenser '94; of 1 m. it. capacity between the line terminals. Upon further rotation the segment72 bridges con tact springs 61 to 70, thus successively connectingcondensers 85 to-93 in parallel with 1 the condenser 94, and giving a total capacity of 1.9 m. i'pbetween the line terminals. At this point segment 85 has advanced to the point where is bridges springs 78 and 79 as well as springs 76 and 77. next step segment 72 leaves spring 61, thereby disconnecting the nine m. f. condensers. i

At this point segment 85has advanced soi ficiently far to leave spring 7 G and engage a spring 80, thereby connecting condensers 94: and 95 each oil m. "f. capacity between the line terminals. Onfurther rotation the segment 7 3 engages springs 61ito 70,.in order,

:thereby connecting condensers85 to 93 and making a total capacity of 2.9 mft. connected between the line terminals. 'At the next step segment 7 3 leaves spring 61,thereby disconnecting the nine m. f. units, and at the same time segment 85 has advanced to the point where 'it leaves spring 79 and engages springs81 and 82," thus disconnects ing condenser 9aiand connecting condenser 96 which is of 2m. f. capacity between the terminalsland in parallel with condenser 95.

lfiurther rotation causessegment'74t to ensprings' 61 to '70 and to connect condensers 85 to 98 between the terminals in successive order. When segment 741 engages spring 7 0, the rotating circular disc has been rotated thirty-nine steps out of a total of forty steps for a complete revolution, therefore at the next step condensers 85 to 96 are disconnected from the line terminals and the rotating member is again at its initial position. However, during the fortieth step, the pin 100 secured to the rotating member. 75 has engaged the left-hand arm of the switching device 101 and caused its contact member 109 to engage contact 103, thereby connecting condenser 105 which is of 4L m. f. capacity directly between line terminals 97 and 98. As the rotating member is further revolved, the operation is the same as for the first revolution with the exception that condenser 105 is at all times At the a bridged between the terminals. During the second revolution therefore, the capacity between terininalsis increased in t, m. f. steps from timnf. to 7.9. At the fortiethstep of the'second revolution the pm 100 strikes tllGll'IlldCllGrJlIll ofswitching device 101 and causes contact .arnr109 to engage'the contacts 103 andcltl l thereby connecting condenser 106 which is also of t in. f. capacity in;parallel:with condenser 105. between terby disconnecting the condensers 85 to 93, inelusive, from the terminal 97, but at the same L 1 time segment 85 on the upper. level of the minals '97 and 98. Therefore, during the thirdrevolution ofthe member 7 5, the ca- "viously, by'increasing theinumber of conltacts. engaged. by the switching device 101 the total capacity of theucondenser could be increased to any. desired value. The pin 102 which rotates with the switching device 101 is arranged to extend througha suitable.

opening .in casing 107 and isjprovided with an indicating arrangement 108 which cooperates with'a suitable scale on the casing to lndicate the number or am. i. units which are connected between the line terminals;

The inner perimeter 01; this casing isalso provided with a scale of i the same type shown on Fig. 1 to indicate the capacity connected between terminals depending upon the position of the rotating member.

While thisswitch' hasbeen-shown as user in connection with an adjustable condenser its construction is such as to be easily modilied to serveequally well for connecting resistance units betweena given pair of terminals,xthe] same idea of picking up small units,- and then dropping them again as a larger unit is picked up, belng employed.

. l'v hat 1s claimed is: y

.1. :A multiple switch comprising a stir tionar yi member having a recessed portion j therein, a plurality of contact members mounted inthe recessed portion, a plurality of add-itlonal contact members mounted on the stationarymember and in a different.

planertrom said first contact members, and

a movable member novidedwith separate *meauseach of which in turn isvadapted to consecutively engage the contact members mounted in the recessed portlon untll all such members are engaged, and additional means for engagingthe contact members mounted in a different plane.

2. A multiple switch comprising an annular stationary member having a recessed portion therein, a plurality of contact members radially mountedin the recessed por tion, a plurality OE contact members mounted on the top of the stationary member, a movable member adapted to rotate within the stationary member, a plurality of conducting segments mounted in the periphery of. said movable member for engaging the contact members located in the recessed por tion, each of said segments in turn being .llO

adapted to engage the entire set oi contact members and additional means for engaging the contact members mounted on the top portion of the stationary member, said means being in engagement with one of the top contacts upon the engagement of any one oi said conducting segments with all of the contact members mounted in the recessed portion.

3. A multiple switch comprising an annular stationary member having a recessed portion therein, a plurality of contact members radially mounted in the recessed por- 'tion, a plurality of contact members radially mounted on the top portion of the stationary member, a disc-shaped movable member adapted to rotate within the stationary member, a plurality of means on said movable member adapted to engage the contact members mounted in the recessed portion, and additional means electrically insulated from said other means to engage the contact members mounted on the top portion of said stationary member.

4;. A multiple switch comprising an annular stationary member having a recessed portion therein, a plurality of contact members radially mounted in the recessed portion, a plurality of contact members radially mounted on the top portion of the stationary member, an insulating disc adapted to rotate within the stationary member, a plurality of conducting segments mounted in the periphery of the insulating disc in a plane with the contact members mounted in the recessed portion of the stationary member, each of said segments being adapted upon rotation to simultaneously engage all of the contact members mounted in the recessed portion, and an additional conducting segment mounted in the rotating disc and in a plane with the contact members mounted on the top of the stationary member.

A multiple switch comprising an annular stationary member having a recessed portion therein, a plurality of contact members radially mounted in the recessed portion, a plurality of contact members radially mounted on the top portion ol the stationary member, an insulating disc adapted to rotate within the stationary member, a plurality olf in the rotating disc in a plane with the contact members mounted on the top of the stationary member, and electrically insulated from said other segments and means for indicating the position of the insulating disc with respect to the stati. mary member.

6. A multiple switch comprising an an nular stationary memli er of contact springs radially mounted thereon, a movable member adapted to rotate within the stationary member, means secured to the movable member to engage said contact members, and a rotatable switching device operated by the movable member to rotate one step at each revolution ol said morable member.

7. A multiple switch comprising a stationary member having a recesredimrtion therein, a plurality of contact springs mounted in said recessed portion, a plurality of additional contact sprii 's mounted on said stationary member and in a plane different from that of said first springs, a movable member adaptedto rotate within the stationary member, a plurality of conducting segments mounted in the periphery of said movable member and in a plane with the contact springg s mounted in said recessed portion, each of said segments being adapted to bridge the entire set of said springs, an additional conducting segment mounted in a separate plane and electrically insulated from said other segments and adapted to engage the various springs mounted on the top portion of said stationary member.

In witness whereof, l hereunto subscribe my name this 5th day of August, A. D. llfllS.

AUGUIVIUS J EA VlllS.

having a plurality 

